“Many years ago” ie back in the 70’s, when my parents first started letting self-catering holiday accommodation, it was my mother’s fervent wish that guests would receive the level of service that she liked when taking her children on holiday. Whether it is to the seaside or the mountains, arriving late in the evening with a car load of hungry and tired children, not knowing where the local shop is, is not the most relaxing start to a holiday.
Mum put her thinking cap on and decided that the first meal would be in the fridge ready and waiting for the new arrivals, along with a bottle of wine for the grown ups to relax with once the children were in bed. A local lady was then employed to put together a ham and cheese salad in a bowl for each cottage/apartment and these were left with some bread, butter and the essential bottle of wine.
These day, with changes in food handling and labelling laws, it is no longer feasible for us to make up a salad bowl ourselves. However, we still want to stay true to that original principle that your first night in your holiday accommodation should be as stress free as possible. So, we have put together a pack which we believe enables you to have a cuppa on arrival, egg or cheese on toast for supper – with the glass of wine of course – and juice and toast for breakfast to keep you going until you can get to the local shop for fresh croissants!!
And we haven’t forgotten the other essential items. There is also a pack of toilet rolls – we don’t want anyone caught short!! – and a starter cleaning pack with washing up liquid & a couple of dishwasher tablets. If you have brought your dog with you then there is a little treat for them too.
We try and source as much of the pack contents as we can as locally as we can. From the Tan y Castell Welsh cakes to the local milk and butter, Caerphilly cheese from Dragon cheeses of course and the bread is baked in the local shop. Along with a bottle of Princes Gate water – Pembrokeshire produce is at the heart of the pack. Oh, and the eggs are free range and come from The Egg Shed just up the road. Sadly, Pembrokeshire weather is great for early potatoes, but not so good for wine grapes. However, the weather is great for growing grass and the cows love it – Totally Welsh milk and butter it is then.
Recently we have replaced the carton of orange juice with a glass bottle of Flawsome juice. This is produced in Wales from wonky fruit that would otherwise have gone to landfill. It is great to support a Welsh Firm doing their bit to be more environmentally friendly.
All of these, and many other locally sourced products, are available to buy in the local shop.
From time to time we ask our Facebook friends, or subscribers to our newsletter, whether they would prefer us to put in fizzy or still water/red or white wine. This sort of feedback is essential for us to make sure we are still meeting customer’s needs. We are always looking for other ways to improve the pack.
We hope it adds to your holiday in some small way and you like what we do
Susie & the team
For answers to questions that you may have click here to look at our Frequently Asked Questions page.
